Engineering news
Energy company Cuadrilla is scaling back its exploratory drilling operation in West Sussex where more than 1,000 people are expected to hold anti-fracking protests.
The firm said it was acting on police advice to wind down its work near Balcombe, as the campaign group behind the Reclaim the Power camp moved into the area for six days of protests.
A statement on the No Dash for Gas website said that the group is “responding to the call for support from the community in Balcombe opposing fracking” – a controversial process which involves high-pressure liquid being pumped deep underground to split shale rock and release gas supplies.
Earlier this week Cuadrilla announced that it is “unlikely” to turn the area into a fossil-fuel production site, but the company's statement failed to appease anti-fracking campaigners.
Cuadrilla's chief executive Francis Egan said: “We will not put anyone in danger. If there is a safety issue for our staff, or for the protesters or for the people of Balcombe, we will cease our activities until that stopped, until that is addressed.
“We are there to see if oil is there and if it will flow without fracturing, and then, if it won't, fracturing is an option.
“If we were to put that forward there would be a full consultation and environmental impact assessment.
“I understand people are anxious and people are opposed and people will remain opposed but the reality is often very different to the fear.”
Last week Prime Minister David Cameron attempted to alleviate some concerns surrounding fracking by stressing that there is “no evidence” the process causes contamination of water supplies or other damage if properly regulated.
He also said that the UK needs to encourage fracking because a thriving shale gas industry would create thousands of jobs, with only “very minor changes to the landscape”.
But environmental groups remain unconvinced. No Dash for Gas said: “We must stop this irrational energy choice or suffer the consequences for generations.”
Greenpeace energy campaigner Leila Deen said Cuadrilla needs to give details of when it will leave Balcombe, “where it is clearly not wanted”.